Factory workers to be offered ICT training

An EU-funded initiative offering workers in the manufacturing sector the opportunity to learn basic information technology skills was launched yesterday by IT and Investments Minister Austin Gatt.

Dr Gatt told a press conference that while the country was gearing up to attract investment in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, other traditional manufacturing industries were losing ground and could possibly close down in the near future.

"As Malta moves from low-end to high-end manufacturing, it is very important to offer workers in factories the possibility of retraining in the growing ICT sector. We are out to prove that it is not true that people in factories cannot be retrained," Dr Gatt said, emphasising the growing demand for jobs and new opportunities in IT. The project will cost €500,000 and will cater for 200 workers. The kind of training offered will be determined following a study which evaluates the demand for ICT certification in the coming three years.

"The training will prepare workers to start off a career in ICT, offering technical skills enabling the employees to move on to IT companies. The courses are fully subsidised," Dr Gatt said.

The basic IT training would prepare workers for more advanced courses, for example under My Potential - a training programme resulting from an agreement between the government and five companies accredited to offer IT courses leading to internationally recognised certification. The government is aiding workers who take up My Potential through tax credits and cuts according to the expenses workers incur to obtain the certificates.

The minister encouraged workers to take up the challenge, stressing that there was no doubt that a job in ICT would pay off more that a factory job.